National Republican., 1887-02-18
THE ELKS' BENEFIT.
Tho Entertainment Greatly Enjoyed
and Enthusiastically Received.

ana Enthuslasucnily hece1ved.
The annual benefit of Washington Lodge,
No. Is, of the Benevolent and Protective
Order Of Elks, took place yesterday after
noon at the New National Theater, and, as
was anticipated would be the case, the
house was thronged with the friends of the
order and those desirous Of witnessing q
superior performance. The larger portion
OF the audience was composed Of ladies In
handsome costumes, while the committee Of
the lodge, In full evening dress, and the
profusion OF flowers made the scene most
brilliant one. The programme was lengthy,
and II was $50 o'clock ere the drop curtain
finally descended. The popularity of these
benefits comes from several causes. First,
1t is known that this order, which originated
with the professionals, is more liberal and
general In it's works OF charity than any
other. When 1t discovers deserving case
there is no delay in the forthcoming Of the
relief. While 1t gives, and gives freely,
still the outside world is not Informed how,
when, or to whom this help Is extended.
Next It's benefits In themselves are attrac-
tive and worth the admission fee exacted.
The effort is made to provide an entertain
ment different from those generally offered
for public favor. Instead of being con-
fined to opera, drama, or comedy, there will
be an admixture, so to speak, Of all, and in
addition the variety and minstrel are not
forgotten. Then 1t is sought to secure the
best talent In the respective parts referred
to, 60 that the combined performance shall
present an array Of artists that cannot fail
to receive patronage. This talent fire..
quently can be found In the membership
Of the order, excepting the ladies, but
their brothers Of the profession, and
know that the Elks are deserving of
assistance, that they gladly volunteer their
services to promote the success Of these
events. From these circumstances It can
easily be understood not only why the order
has become 80 popular, but the secret OF
the great success attending on their bene-
fits. The packed auditorium at the National
yesterday was most flatterlng Endorsement
whose Industrious labors so much had
been accomplished. In order to accommo.
date the rush the doors were thrown open
at noon, the entertainment commencing an
hour later, this early hour to begiu being
requisite In consequence Of the extreme
length Of the programme.
Fine looking gentlemen, elegantly at
tired, members Of the reception committee,
met the ladies on entering, presented
them with a souvenir programme, gem in
Its style, gotten up by Messrs. Gray &
Clarkson, and conducted them to seats.
The orchestra was under the leadership of
Prof. Schroeder, and the stage under the
management Of Brother George w. Harri-
son.
The entire programme was carried out,
and included Messrs. Sanford and Wilson
from Gilmore's, Philadelphia; Mr.. Robert
Graham and Miss Elma Delano, of the Lit
tie Tycoon Company, Philadelphia; Prof.
Abt and his Grecian Mystery from Tony
PASTORS New York Theater; Miss Fortescue
and j. Newton Gotthold and Others of the
Fortescue Company from Baltimore. The
entire Erminie Company, Mr.. Wilson Bar
rett and his company in "Chatterton;" Mr..
Wnl s. Rising, Mr.. Douglass Flint, and
In new composition entitled "The Inter-
national Congress" Want of space pre-
cludes a more extended notice.